Articles | Volume 22, issue 14
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3699-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3699-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Evaluating ocean alkalinity enhancement as a carbon dioxide removal strategy in the North Sea
Institute of Coastal Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany
Ute Daewel
Institute of Coastal Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany
Jan Kossack
Institute of Coastal Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany
Kubilay Timur Demir
Institute of Coastal Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany
Helmuth Thomas
Institute of Carbon Cycles, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany
Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
Corinna Schrum
Institute of Coastal Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany
Institute of Oceanography, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Related authors
Kubilay Timur Demir, Moritz Mathis, Jan Kossack, Feifei Liu, Ute Daewel, Christoph Stegert, Helmuth Thomas, and Corinna Schrum
Biogeosciences, 22, 2569–2599, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2569-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2569-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study examines how variations in the ratios of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in organic matter affect carbon cycling in the northwest European shelf seas. Traditional models with fixed ratios tend to underestimate biological carbon uptake. By integrating variable ratios into a regional model, we find that carbon dioxide uptake increases by 9 %–31 %. These results highlight the need to include variable ratios for accurate assessments of regional and global carbon cycles.
Kubilay Timur Demir, Moritz Mathis, Jan Kossack, Feifei Liu, Ute Daewel, Christoph Stegert, Helmuth Thomas, and Corinna Schrum
Biogeosciences, 22, 2569–2599, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2569-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2569-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study examines how variations in the ratios of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in organic matter affect carbon cycling in the northwest European shelf seas. Traditional models with fixed ratios tend to underestimate biological carbon uptake. By integrating variable ratios into a regional model, we find that carbon dioxide uptake increases by 9 %–31 %. These results highlight the need to include variable ratios for accurate assessments of regional and global carbon cycles.
Hoa Nguyen, Ute Daewel, Neil Banas, and Corinna Schrum
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 2961–2982, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-2961-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-2961-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Parameterization is key in modeling to reproduce observations well but is often done manually. This study presents a particle-swarm-optimizer-based toolbox for marine ecosystem models, compatible with the Framework for Aquatic Biogeochemical Models, thus enhancing its reusability. Applied to the Sylt ecosystem, the toolbox effectively (1) identified multiple parameter sets that matched observations well, providing different insights into ecosystem dynamics, and (2) optimized model complexity.
Alberto Elizalde, Naveed Akhtar, Beate Geyer, and Corinna Schrum
Wind Energ. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2025-64, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2025-64, 2025
Preprint under review for WES
Short summary
Short summary
As green energy demand rises, offshore wind farms in the North Sea are expanding. This study examines the uncertainties in power output predictions, considering turbine arrangements and weather conditions. Using an advanced climate model, we found that power output can vary by up to 13 %. These findings are vital for accurate economic and environmental planning. This research will contribute to a better understanding of the potential of offshore wind energy.
David Johannes Amptmeijer, Andrea Padilla, Sofia Modesti, Corinna Schrum, and Johannes Bieser
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1494, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1494, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This paper combines a literature review with a 1D coupled Hg speciation and bioaccumulation model to assess how feeding strategy influences inorganic and methylmercury levels at the food web's base. We find that filter feeders have higher MeHg concentrations, while suspension feeders show very low MeHg. These results highlight feeding strategy as a key driver in MeHg bioaccumulation variability.
David Johannes Amptmeijer, Elena Mikhavee, Ute Daewel, Johannes Bieser, and Corinna Schrum
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1486, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1486, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we analyze mercury bioaccumulation, including both methylated and inorganic Hg. While methylmercury is the primary toxin of concern, modeling inorganic Hg bioaccumulation reveals its role in marine mercury cycling. We find that bioaccumulation strongly influences mercury dynamics, increasing methylmercury levels. This effect is more pronounced in well-mixed coastal waters than in permanently stratified deep waters.
Claudia Elena Schmidt, Tristan Zimmermann, Katarzyna Koziorowska, Daniel Pröfrock, and Helmuth Thomas
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-291, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-291, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study explores how ocean currents, melting sea ice, and freshwater runoff alter biogeochemical cycles on the west Greenland shelf. By analyzing water samples on a high-resolution, large-scale grid, we found that these factors create distinct regional and spatial distribution patterns and significantly impact biological productivity during late summer. The study highlights the need for ongoing monitoring to understand the effects of climate change in this sensitive area.
Mona Norbisrath, Justus E. E. van Beusekom, and Helmuth Thomas
Ocean Sci., 20, 1423–1440, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-20-1423-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-20-1423-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We present an observational study investigating total alkalinity (TA) in the Dutch Wadden Sea. Discrete water samples were used to identify the TA spatial distribution patterns and locate and shed light on TA sources. By observing a tidal cycle, the sediments and pore water exchange were identified as local TA sources. We assumed metabolically driven CaCO3 dissolution as the TA source in the upper, oxic sediments and anaerobic metabolic processes as TA sources in the deeper, anoxic ones.
Julia Meyer, Yoana G. Voynova, Bryce Van Dam, Lara Luitjens, Dagmar Daehne, and Helmuth Thomas
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3048, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3048, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The study highlights the inter-seasonal variability of the carbonate dynamics of the East Frisian Wadden Sea, the world's largest intertidal area. During spring, increased biological activity leads to lower CO2 and nitrate levels, while total alkalinity (TA) rises slightly. In summer, TA increases, enhancing the ocean's ability to absorb CO2. Our research emphasizes the vital role of these intertidal regions in regulating carbon, contributing to a better understanding of carbon storage.
Lucas Porz, Wenyan Zhang, Nils Christiansen, Jan Kossack, Ute Daewel, and Corinna Schrum
Biogeosciences, 21, 2547–2570, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2547-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2547-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Seafloor sediments store a large amount of carbon, helping to naturally regulate Earth's climate. If disturbed, some sediment particles can turn into CO2, but this effect is not well understood. Using computer simulations, we found that bottom-contacting fishing gears release about 1 million tons of CO2 per year in the North Sea, one of the most heavily fished regions globally. We show how protecting certain areas could reduce these emissions while also benefitting seafloor-living animals.
Peter Arlinghaus, Corinna Schrum, Ingrid Kröncke, and Wenyan Zhang
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 537–558, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-537-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-537-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Benthos is recognized to strongly influence sediment stability, deposition, and erosion. This is well studied on small scales, but large-scale impact on morphological change is largely unknown. We quantify the large-scale impact of benthos by modeling the evolution of a tidal basin. Results indicate a profound impact of benthos by redistributing sediments on large scales. As confirmed by measurements, including benthos significantly improves model results compared to an abiotic scenario.
Mona Norbisrath, Andreas Neumann, Kirstin Dähnke, Tina Sanders, Andreas Schöl, Justus E. E. van Beusekom, and Helmuth Thomas
Biogeosciences, 20, 4307–4321, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4307-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4307-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Total alkalinity (TA) is the oceanic capacity to store CO2. Estuaries can be a TA source. Anaerobic metabolic pathways like denitrification (reduction of NO3− to N2) generate TA and are a major nitrogen (N) sink. Another important N sink is anammox that transforms NH4+ with NO2− into N2 without TA generation. By combining TA and N2 production, we identified a TA source, denitrification, occurring in the water column and suggest anammox as the dominant N2 producer in the bottom layer of the Ems.
Nele Lehmann, Hugues Lantuit, Michael Ernst Böttcher, Jens Hartmann, Antje Eulenburg, and Helmuth Thomas
Biogeosciences, 20, 3459–3479, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3459-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3459-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Riverine alkalinity in the silicate-dominated headwater catchment at subarctic Iskorasfjellet, northern Norway, was almost entirely derived from weathering of minor carbonate occurrences in the riparian zone. The uphill catchment appeared limited by insufficient contact time of weathering agents and weatherable material. Further, alkalinity increased with decreasing permafrost extent. Thus, with climate change, alkalinity generation is expected to increase in this permafrost-degrading landscape.
Philipp Heinrich, Stefan Hagemann, Ralf Weisse, Corinna Schrum, Ute Daewel, and Lidia Gaslikova
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 1967–1985, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-1967-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-1967-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
High seawater levels co-occurring with high river discharges have the potential to cause destructive flooding. For the past decades, the number of such compound events was larger than expected by pure chance for most of the west-facing coasts in Europe. Additionally rivers with smaller catchments showed higher numbers. In most cases, such events were associated with a large-scale weather pattern characterized by westerly winds and strong rainfall.
Johannes Bieser, David J. Amptmeijer, Ute Daewel, Joachim Kuss, Anne L. Soerensen, and Corinna Schrum
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 2649–2688, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2649-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2649-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
MERCY is a 3D model to study mercury (Hg) cycling in the ocean. Hg is a highly harmful pollutant regulated by the UN Minamata Convention on Mercury due to widespread human emissions. These emissions eventually reach the oceans, where Hg transforms into the even more toxic and bioaccumulative pollutant methylmercury. MERCY predicts the fate of Hg in the ocean and its buildup in the food chain. It is the first model to consider Hg accumulation in fish, a major source of Hg exposure for humans.
Mona Norbisrath, Johannes Pätsch, Kirstin Dähnke, Tina Sanders, Gesa Schulz, Justus E. E. van Beusekom, and Helmuth Thomas
Biogeosciences, 19, 5151–5165, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5151-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5151-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Total alkalinity (TA) regulates the oceanic storage capacity of atmospheric CO2. TA is also metabolically generated in estuaries and influences coastal carbon storage through its inflows. We used water samples and identified the Hamburg port area as the one with highest TA generation. Of the overall riverine TA load, 14 % is generated within the estuary. Using a biogeochemical model, we estimated potential effects on the coastal carbon storage under possible anthropogenic and climate changes.
Bryce Van Dam, Nele Lehmann, Mary A. Zeller, Andreas Neumann, Daniel Pröfrock, Marko Lipka, Helmuth Thomas, and Michael Ernst Böttcher
Biogeosciences, 19, 3775–3789, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3775-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3775-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We quantified sediment–water exchange at shallow sites in the North and Baltic seas. We found that porewater irrigation rates in the former were approximately twice as high as previously estimated, likely driven by relatively high bioirrigative activity. In contrast, we found small net fluxes of alkalinity, ranging from −35 µmol m−2 h−1 (uptake) to 53 µmol m−2 h−1 (release). We attribute this to low net denitrification, carbonate mineral (re-)precipitation, and sulfide (re-)oxidation.
Veli Çağlar Yumruktepe, Annette Samuelsen, and Ute Daewel
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 3901–3921, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-3901-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-3901-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We describe the coupled bio-physical model ECOSMO II(CHL), which is used for regional configurations for the North Atlantic and the Arctic hind-casting and operational purposes. The model is consistent with the large-scale climatological nutrient settings and is capable of representing regional and seasonal changes, and model primary production agrees with previous measurements. For the users of this model, this paper provides the underlying science, model evaluation and its development.
Krysten Rutherford, Katja Fennel, Dariia Atamanchuk, Douglas Wallace, and Helmuth Thomas
Biogeosciences, 18, 6271–6286, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-6271-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-6271-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Using a regional model of the northwestern North Atlantic shelves in combination with a surface water time series and repeat transect observations, we investigate surface CO2 variability on the Scotian Shelf. The study highlights a strong seasonal cycle in shelf-wide pCO2 and spatial variability throughout the summer months driven by physical events. The simulated net flux of CO2 on the Scotian Shelf is out of the ocean, deviating from the global air–sea CO2 flux trend in continental shelves.
Chantal Mears, Helmuth Thomas, Paul B. Henderson, Matthew A. Charette, Hugh MacIntyre, Frank Dehairs, Christophe Monnin, and Alfonso Mucci
Biogeosciences, 17, 4937–4959, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-4937-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-4937-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Major research initiatives have been undertaken within the Arctic Ocean, highlighting this area's global importance and vulnerability to climate change. In 2015, the international GEOTRACES program addressed this importance by devoting intense research activities to the Arctic Ocean. Among various tracers, we used radium and carbonate system data to elucidate the functioning and vulnerability of the hydrographic regime of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, bridging the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
Cited articles
Albretsen, J., Aure, J., Sætre, R., and Danielssen, D. S: Climatic variability in the Skagerrak and coastal waters of Norway, ICES J. Marine Sci., 69, 758–763, https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412953924.n678, 2012.
Artioli, Y., Blackford, J. C., Butenschön, M., Holt, J. T., Wakelin, S. L., Thomas, H., Borges, A. V., and Allen, J. I.: The carbonate system in the North Sea: Sensitivity and model validation, J. Marine Syst., 102, 1–13, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2012.04.006, 2012.
Bach, L. T.: The additionality problem of ocean alkalinity enhancement, Biogeosciences, 21, 261–277, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-261-2024, 2024.
Bach, L. T., Gill, S. J., Rickaby, R. E., Gore, S., and Renforth, P.: CO2 removal with enhanced weathering and ocean alkalinity enhancement: potential risks and co-benefits for marine pelagic ecosystems, Front. Climate, 1, 476698, https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2019.00007, 2019.
Baschek, B., Schroeder, F., Brix, H., Riethmüller, R., Badewien, T. H., Breitbach, G., Brügge, B., Colijn, F., Doerffer, R., Eschenbach, C., Friedrich, J., Fischer, P., Garthe, S., Horstmann, J., Krasemann, H., Metfies, K., Merckelbach, L., Ohle, N., Petersen, W., Pröfrock, D., Röttgers, R., Schlüter, M., Schulz, J., Schulz-Stellenfleth, J., Stanev, E., Staneva, J., Winter, C., Wirtz, K., Wollschläger, J., Zielinski, O., and Ziemer, F.: The Coastal Observing System for Northern and Arctic Seas (COSYNA), Ocean Sci., 13, 379–410, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-13-379-2017, 2017.
Blaas, M., Kerkhoven, D., and de Swart, H. E: Large-scale circulation and flushing characteristics of the North Sea under various climate forcings, Clim. Res., 18, 47–54, https://doi.org/10.3354/cr018047, 2001.
Blackford, J. C. and Gilbert, F. J: pH variability and CO2 induced acidification in the North Sea, J. Marine Syst., 64, 229–241, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2006.03.016, 2007.
Boyer, T. P., García, H. E., Locarnini, R. A., Zweng, M. M., Mishonov, A. V., Reagan, J. R., Weathers, K. A., Baranova, O. K., Paver, C. R., Seidov, D., and Smolyar, I.V.: World Ocean Atlas 2018, NOAA [data set], https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/NCEI-WOA18 (last access: 29 July 2022), 2018.
Broullón, D., Pérez, F. F., Velo, A., Hoppema, M., Olsen, A., Takahashi, T., Key, R. M., Tanhua, T., González-Dávila, M., Jeansson, E., Kozyr, A., and van Heuven, S. M. A. C.: A global monthly climatology of total alkalinity: a neural network approach, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 11, 1109–1127, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-1109-2019, 2019.
Broullón, D., Pérez, F. F., Velo, A., Hoppema, M., Olsen, A., Takahashi, T., Key, R. M., Tanhua, T., Santana-Casiano, J. M., and Kozyr, A.: A global monthly climatology of oceanic total dissolved inorganic carbon: a neural network approach, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 12, 1725–1743, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-1725-2020, 2020.
Bruggeman, J. and Bolding, K.: A general framework for aquatic biogeochemical models, Environ. Model. Softw., 61, 249–265, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.04.002, 2014.
Burt, D. J., Fröb, F., and Ilyina, T.: The Sensitivity of the Marine Carbonate System to Regional Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement. Front. Climate, 3, 624075, https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2021.624075, 2021.
Butenschön, M., Lovato, T., Masina, S., Caserini, S., and Grosso, M.: Alkalinization Scenarios in the Mediterranean Sea for Efficient Removal of Atmospheric CO2 and the Mitigation of Ocean Acidification, Front. Climate, 3, 614537, https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2021.614537, 2021.
Carstensen, J. and Duarte, C. M.: Drivers of pH Variability in Coastal Ecosystems, Environ. Sci. Technol., 53, 4020–4029, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b03655, 2019.
Carvalho, F., Kohut, J., Oliver, M. J., and Schofield, O.: Defining the ecologically relevant mixed-layer depth for Antarctica's coastal seas, Geophys. Res. Lett., 44, 338–345, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL071205, 2017.
Christensen, K. H., Sperrevik, A. K., and Broström, G.: On the variability in the onset of the Norwegian Coastal Current, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 48, 723–738, https://doi.org/10.1175/JPO-D-17-0117.1, 2018.
Daewel, U. and Schrum, C.: Simulating long-term dynamics of the coupled North Sea and Baltic Sea ecosystem with ECOSMO II: Model description and validation, J. Marine Syst., 119, 30–49, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2013.03.008, 2013.
Davies, P. A., Yuan, Q., and De Richter, R.: Desalination as a negative emissions technology, Environ. Sci.-Water Research and Technology, 4, 839–850, https://doi.org/10.1039/c7ew00502d, 2018.
Digdaya, I. A., Sullivan, I., Lin, M., Han, L., Cheng, W. H., Atwater, H. A., and Xiang, C.: A direct coupled electrochemical system for capture and conversion of CO2 from oceanwater, Nat. Commun., 11, 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-18232-y, 2020.
Dowdall, M. and Lepland, A.: Elevated levels of radium-226 and radium-228 in marine sediments of the Norwegian Trench (“Norskrenna”) and Skagerrak, Marine Pollut. B., 64, 2069–2076, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.07.022, 2012.
Feng, E. Y., Koeve, W., Keller, D. P., and Oschlies, A.: Model-Based Assessment of the CO2 Sequestration Potential of Coastal Ocean Alkalinization, Earth's Future, 5, 1252–1266, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017EF000659, 2017.
Fennel, K., Long, M. C., Algar, C., Carter, B., Keller, D., Laurent, A., Mattern, J. P., Musgrave, R., Oschlies, A., Ostiguy, J., Palter, J. B., and Whitt, D. B.: Modelling considerations for research on ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE), in: Guide to Best Practices in Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Research, edited by: Oschlies, A., Stevenson, A., Bach, L. T., Fennel, K., Rickaby, R. E. M., Satterfield, T., Webb, R., and Gattuso, J.-P., Copernicus Publications, State Planet, 2-oae2023, 9, https://doi.org/10.5194/sp-2-oae2023-9-2023, 2023.
Ferderer, A., Chase, Z., Kennedy, F., Schulz, K. G., and Bach, L. T.: Assessing the influence of ocean alkalinity enhancement on a coastal phytoplankton community, Biogeosciences, 19, 5375–5399, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5375-2022, 2022.
Foteinis, S., Andresen, J., Campo, F., Caserini, S., and Renforth, P.: Life cycle assessment of ocean liming for carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere, J. Clean. Prod., 370, 133309, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133309, 2022.
Foteinis, S., Campbell, J. S., and Renforth, P.: Life cycle assessment of coastal enhanced weathering for carbon dioxide removal from air, Environ. Sci. Technol., 57, 6169–6178, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c08633, 2023.
Frankignoulle, M. and Borges, A. V.: European continental shelf as a significant sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide, Global Biogeochem. Cycles, 15, 569–576, https://doi.org/10.1029/2000GB001307, 2001.
Fuhr, M., Geilert, S., Schmidt, M., Liebetrau, V., Vogt, C., Ledwig, B., and Wallmann, K.: Kinetics of Olivine Weathering in Seawater: An Experimental Study, Front. Climate, 4, 831587, https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2022.831587, 2022.
Geyer, B.: coastDat-3_COSMO-CLM_ERAi (World Data Center for Climate (WDCC) at DKRZ), http://cera-www.dkrz.de/WDCC/ui/Compact.jsp?acronym=coastDat-3_COSMO-CLM_ERAi (last access: 22 June 2022), 2017.
González, M. F. and Ilyina, T.: Impacts of artificial ocean alkalinization on the carbon cycle and climate in Earth system simulations, Geophys. Res. Lett., 43, 6493–6502, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL068576, 2016.
Graham, J. A., Rosser, J. P., O'Dea, E., and Hewitt, H. T.: Resolving Shelf Break Exchange Around the European Northwest Shelf, Geophys. Res. Lett., 45, 12386–12395, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL079399, 2018.
Guihou, K., Polton, J., Harle, J., Wakelin, S., O'Dea, E., and Holt, J. Kilometric Scale Modeling of the North West European Shelf Seas: Exploring the Spatial and Temporal Variability of Internal Tides, J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 123, 688–707, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JC012960, 2018.
Guo, J. A., Strzepek, R., Willis, A., Ferderer, A., and Bach, L. T.: Investigating the effect of nickel concentration on phytoplankton growth to assess potential side-effects of ocean alkalinity enhancement, Biogeosciences, 19, 3683–3697, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3683-2022, 2022.
Hagen, R., Winter, C., and Kösters, F.: Changes in tidal asymmetry in the German Wadden Sea, Ocean Dynam., 72, 325–340, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-022-01509-9, 2022.
Hangx, S. J. T. and Spiers, C. J.: Coastal spreading of olivine to control atmospheric CO2 concentrations: A critical analysis of viability, Int. J. Greenh. Gas Contr., 3, 757–767, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2009.07.001, 2009.
Hansen, P. J.: Effect of high pH on the growth and survival of marine phytoplankton: implications for species succession, Aquat. Microb. Ecol., 28, 279–288, https://doi.org/10.3354/ame028279, 2002.
Hartmann, J., West, A. J., Renforth, P., Köhler, P., De La Rocha, C. L., Wolf-Gladrow, D. A., Dürr, H. H., and Scheffran, J.: Enhanced chemical weathering as a geoengineering strategy to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide, supply nutrients, and mitigate ocean acidification, Rev. Geophys., 51, 113–149, https://doi.org/10.1002/rog.20004, 2013.
Hartmann, J., Suitner, N., Lim, C., Schneider, J., Marín-Samper, L., Arístegui, J., Renforth, P., Taucher, J., and Riebesell, U.: Stability of alkalinity in ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) approaches – consequences for durability of CO2 storage, Biogeosciences, 20, 781–802, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-781-2023, 2023.
He, J. and Tyka, M. D.: Limits and CO2 equilibration of near-coast alkalinity enhancement, Biogeosciences, 20, 27–43, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-27-2023, 2023.
Herzog, H., Caldeira, K., and Reilly, J.: An issue of permanence: Assessing the effectiveness of temporary carbon storage, Clim. Change, 59, 293–310, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024801618900, 2003.
Hjalmarsson, S., Wesslander, K., Anderson, L. G., Omstedt, A., Perttilä, M., and Mintrop, L.: Distribution, long-term development and mass balance calculation of total alkalinity in the Baltic Sea, Cont. Shelf Res., 28, 593–601, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2007.11.010, 2008.
Holt, J., Wakelin, S., and Huthnance, J.: Down-welling circulation of the northwest European continental shelf: A driving mechanism for the continental shelf carbon pump, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, 1–5, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GL038997, 2009.
Humphreys, M. P., Lewis, E. R., Sharp, J. D., and Pierrot, D.: PyCO2SYS v1.8: marine carbonate system calculations in Python, Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 15–43, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-15-2022, 2022.
Ilyina, T., Wolf-Gladrow, D., Munhoven, G., and Heinze, C.: Assessing the potential of calcium-based artificial ocean alkalinization to mitigate rising atmospheric CO2 and ocean acidification, Geophys. Res. Lett., 40, 5909–5914, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013GL057981, 2013.
Jerlov, N. G.: Marine Optics, Elsevier Oceanography Series, vol. 14, Elsevier, ISBN 0-444-41 490-8, 1976.
Keller, D. P., Feng, E. Y., and Oschlies, A.: Potential climate engineering effectiveness and side effects during a high carbon dioxide-emission scenario, Nat. Commun., 5, 3304, https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms4304, 2014.
Kheshgi, H. S.: Sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide by increasing ocean alkalinity, Energy, 20, 915–922, https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-5442(95)00035-F, 1995.
Köhler, P., Abrams, J. F., Völker, C., Hauck, J., and Wolf-Gladrow, D. A.: Geoengineering impact of open ocean dissolution of olivine on atmospheric CO2, surface ocean pH and marine biology, Environ. Res. Lett., 8, 014009, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/8/1/014009, 2013.
Kossack, J., Mathis, M., Daewel, U., Zhang, Y. J., and Schrum, C.: Barotropic and baroclinic tides increase primary production on the Northwest European Shelf, Front. Marine Sci., 10, 1206062, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1206062, 2023.
Kossack, J., Mathis, M., Daewel, U., Liu, F., Demir, K. T., Thomas, H., and Schrum, C.: Tidal impacts on air-sea CO2 exchange on the North-West European shelf, Front. Marine Sci., 11, 1406896, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1406896, 2024.
Laane, R. W. P. M., Vethaak, A. D., Gandrass, J., Vorkamp, K., Köhler, A., Larsen, M. M., and Strand, J. Chemical contaminants in the Wadden Sea: Sources, transport, fate and effects, J. Sea Res., 82, 10–53, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2013.03.004, 2013.
Lan, X., Dlugokencky, E. J., Mund, J. W., Crotwell, A. M., Crotwell, M. J., Moglia, E., Madronich, M., Neff, D., and Thoning, K. W.: Atmospheric carbon dioxide dry air mole fractions from the NOAA GML Carbon Cycle Cooperative Global Air Sampling Network, 1968–2021, Version: 2022-11-21, https://doi.org/10.15138/wkgj-f215, 2022.
Laruelle, G. G., Lauerwald, R., Pfeil, B., and Regnier, P.: Regionalized global budget of the CO2 exchange at the air-water interface in continental shelf seas, Global Biogeochem. Cycles, 28, 1199–1214, https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.13280, 2014.
Laurent, A., Fennel, K., and Kuhn, A.: An observation-based evaluation and ranking of historical Earth system model simulations in the northwest North Atlantic Ocean, Biogeosciences, 18, 1803–1822, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-1803-2021, 2021.
Legge, O., Johnson, M., Hicks, N., Jickells, T., Diesing, M., Aldridge, J., Andrews, J., Artioli, Y., Bakker, D. C., Burrows, M. T., Carr, N., Cripps, G., Felgate, S. L., Fernand, L., Greenwood, N., Hartman, S., Kröger, S., Lessin, G., Mahaffey, C., Mayor, D. J., Parker, R., Queirós, A. M., Shutler, J. D., Silva, T., Stahl, H., Tinker, J., Underwood, G. J., Van der Molen, J., Wakelin, S., Weston, K., and Williamson, P.: Carbon on the Northwest European Shelf: Contemporary Budget and Future Influences, Front. Marine Sci., 7, 143, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00143, 2020.
Liu, F., Daewel, U., Kossack, J., Demir, K. T., Thomas, H., and Schrum, C.: Support data for manuscript “Evaluating ocean alkalinity enhancement as a carbon dioxide removal strategy in the North Sea”, Zenodo [data set], https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14061020, 2024.
Marion, G. M., Millero, F. J., and Feistel, R.: Precipitation of solid phase calcium carbonates and their effect on application of seawater SA–T–P models, Ocean Sci., 5, 285–291, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-5-285-2009, 2009.
Martens, P.: On trends in nutrient concentration in the northern Wadden Sea of Sylt, Helgoländer Meeresuntersuchungen, 43, 489–499, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02365906, 1989.
Mathis, M., Logemann, K., Maerz, J., Lacroix, F., Hagemann, S., Chegini, F., Ramme, L., Ilyina, T., Korn, P., and Schrum, C.: Seamless Integration of the Coastal Ocean in Global Marine Carbon Cycle Modeling, J. Adv. Model. Earth Sy., 14, 1–44, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021MS002789, 2022.
Middelburg, J. J., Soetaert, K., and Hagens, M.: Ocean Alkalinity, Buffering and Biogeochemical Processes, Rev. Geophys., 58, e2019RG000681, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019RG000681, 2020.
Millero, F. J., Graham, T. B., Huang, F., Bustos-Serrano, H., and Pierrot, D.: Dissociation constants of carbonic acid in seawater as a function of salinity and temperature, Marine Chem., 100, 80–94, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2005.12.001, 2006.
Montserrat, F., Renforth, P., Hartmann, J., Leermakers, M., Knops, P., and Meysman, F. J. R.: Olivine Dissolution in Seawater: Implications for CO2 Sequestration through Enhanced Weathering in Coastal Environments, Environ. Sci. Technol., 51, 3960–3972, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b05942, 2017.
Moras, C. A., Bach, L. T., Cyronak, T., Joannes-Boyau, R., and Schulz, K. G.: Ocean alkalinity enhancement – avoiding runaway CaCO3 precipitation during quick and hydrated lime dissolution, Biogeosciences, 19, 3537–3557, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3537-2022, 2022.
Morse, J. W., Arvidson, R. S., and Lüttge, A.: Calcium carbonate formation and dissolution, Chem. Rev., 107, 342–381, https://doi.org/10.1021/cr050358j, 2007.
Nagwekar, T., Nissen, C., and Hauck, J.: Ocean alkalinity enhancement in deep water formation regions under low and high emission pathways, Earth's Future, 12, e2023EF004213, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EF004213, 2024.
Neal, C. and Davies, H.: Water quality fluxes for eastern UK rivers entering the North Sea: A summary of information from the Land Ocean Interaction Study (LOIS), Sci. Total Environ., 314–316, 821–882, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(03)00086-X, 2003.
Palmiéri, J. and Yool, A.: Global-Scale Evaluation of Coastal Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement in a Fully Coupled Earth System Model, Earth's Future, 12, e2023EF004018, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EF004018, 2024.
Paquay, F. S. and Zeebe, R. E.: Assessing possible consequences of ocean liming on ocean pH, atmospheric CO2 concentration and associated costs, Int. J. Greenh. Gas Contr., 17, 183–188, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2013.05.005, 2013.
Pätsch, J. and Lenhart, H.: Daily Loads of Nutrients, Total Alkalinity, Dissolved Inorganic Carbon and Dissolved Organic Carbon of the European Continental Rivers for the Years 1977–2019, Ifm Wiki [data set], https://wiki.cen.uni-hamburg.de/ifm/ECOHAM/DATA_RIVER (last access:18 August 2022), 2022.
Pedersen, M. F. and Hansen, P. J.: Effects of high pH on the growth and survival of six marine heterotrophic protists, Marine Ecol. Prog. Series, 260, 33–41, https://doi.org/10.3354/meps260033, 2003.
Provoost, P., van Heuven, S., Soetaert, K., Laane, R. W. P. M., and Middelburg, J. J.: Seasonal and long-term changes in pH in the Dutch coastal zone, Biogeosciences, 7, 3869–3878, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-7-3869-2010, 2010.
Rasmussen, M. B., Henriksen, K., and Jensen, A.: Possible causes of temporal fluctuations in primary production of the microphytobenthos in the Danish Wadden Sea, Marine Biol., 73, 109–114, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00406878, 1983.
Redfield, A. C.: The influence of organisms on the composition of seawater, The Sea, 2, 26–77, 1963.
Renforth, P. and Henderson, G.: Assessing ocean alkalinity for carbon sequestration, Rev. Geophys., 55, 636–674, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016RG000533, 2017.
Renforth, P. and Kruger, T.: Coupling mineral carbonation and ocean liming, Energ. Fuels, 27, 4199–4207, https://doi.org/10.1021/ef302030w, 2013.
Rick, J. J., Scharfe, M., Romanova, T., van Beusekom, J. E. E., Asmus, R., Asmus, H., Mielck, F., Kamp, A., Sieger, R., and Wiltshire, K. H.: An evaluation of long-term physical and hydrochemical measurements at the Sylt Roads Marine Observatory (1973–2019), Wadden Sea, North Sea, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 1037–1057, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-1037-2023, 2023.
Riebesell, U. and Tortell, P. D.: Effects of Ocean Acidification on Pelagic Organisms and Ecosystems, in: Ocean Acidification, Oxford University Press, https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780199591091.003.0011, 2011.
Rigopoulos, I., Harrison, A. L., Delimitis, A., Ioannou, I., Efstathiou, A. M., Kyratsi, T., and Oelkers, E. H.: Carbon sequestration via enhanced weathering of peridotites and basalts in seawater, Appl. Geochem., 91, 197–207, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2017.11.001, 2018.
Rydberg, L., Haamer, J., and Liungman, O.: Fluxes of water and nutrients within and into the Skagerrak, J. Sea Res., 35, 23–38, https://doi.org/10.1016/s1385-1101(96)90732-7, 1996.
Samuelsen, A., Schrum, C., Yumruktepe, V. Ç., Daewel, U., and Roberts, E. M.: Environmental Change at Deep-Sea Sponge Habitats Over the Last Half Century: A Model Hindcast Study for the Age of Anthropogenic Climate Change, Front. Marine Sci., 9, 737164, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.737164, 2022.
Subhas, A. V., Marx, L., Reynolds, S., Flohr, A., Mawji, E. W., Brown, P. J., and Cael, B. B.: Microbial ecosystem responses to alkalinity enhancement in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, Front. Climate, 4, 784997, https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2022.784997, 2022.
Suitner, N., Faucher, G., Lim, C., Schneider, J., Moras, C. A., Riebesell, U., and Hartmann, J.: Ocean alkalinity enhancement approaches and the predictability of runaway precipitation processes: results of an experimental study to determine critical alkalinity ranges for safe and sustainable application scenarios, Biogeosciences, 21, 4587–4604, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4587-2024, 2024.
Svendsen, E., Sætre, R., and Mork, M.: Features of the northern North Sea circulation, Cont. Shelf Res., 11, 493–508, https://doi.org/10.1016/0278-4343(91)90055-B, 1991.
Thomas, H., Bozec, Y., de Baar, H. J. W., Elkalay, K., Frankignoulle, M., Schiettecatte, L.-S., Kattner, G., and Borges, A. V.: The carbon budget of the North Sea, Biogeosciences, 2, 87–96, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2-87-2005, 2005.
Thomas, H., Bozec, Y., Elkalay, K., and De Baar, H. J.: Enhanced Open Ocean Storage of CO2 from Shelf Sea Pumping, Science, 304, 1005–1008, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1095491, 2004.
Van Leeuwen, S., Tett, P., Mills, D., and Van Der Molen, J.: Stratified and nonstratified areas in the North Sea: Long-term variability and biological and policy implications, J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 120, 4670–4686, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JC010485, 2015.
Wang, H., Pilcher, D. J., Kearney, K. A., Cross, J. N., Shugart, O. M., Eisaman, M. D., and Carter, B. R.: Simulated Impact of Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement on Atmospheric CO2 Removal in the Bering Sea, Earth's Future, 11, 1–17, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022EF002816, 2023.
Wanninkhof, R.: Relationship between wind speed and gas exchange over the ocean revisited, Limnol. Oceanogr.-Methods, 12, 351–362, https://doi.org/10.4319/lom.2014.12.351, 2014.
Winther, N. G. and Johannessen, J. A.: North Sea circulation: Atlantic inflow and its destination, J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 111, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JC003310, 2006.
Wolf-Gladrow, D. A., Zeebe, R. E., Klaas, C., Körtzinger, A., and Dickson, A. G.: Total alkalinity: The explicit conservative expression and its application to biogeochemical processes, Marine Chem., 106, 287–300, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2007.01.006, 2007.
Ye, F., Zhang, Y. J., Wang, H. V., Friedrichs, M. A. M., Irby, I. D., Alteljevich, E., Valle-Levinson, A., Wang, Z., Huang, H., Shen, J., and Du, J.: A 3D unstructured-grid model for Chesapeake Bay: Importance of bathymetry, Ocean Model., 127, 16–39, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2018.05.002, 2018.
Yu, H. C., Zhang, Y. J., Yu, J. C. S., Terng, C., Sun, W., Ye, F., Wang, H. V., Wang, Z., and Huang, H.: Simulating multi-scale oceanic processes around Taiwan on unstructured grids, Ocean Model., 119, 72–93, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2017.09.007, 2017.
Zeebe, R. E. and Wolf-Gladrow, D.: CO2 in Seawater: Equilibrium, Kinetics, Isotopes, Vol. 65, Elsevier Oceanography Book Series, Amsterdam, ISBN 0-444-50946-1, 2001.
Zhang, Y. J., Ateljevich, E., Yu, H. C., Wu, C. H., and Yu, J. C. S.: A new vertical coordinate system for a 3D unstructured-grid model, Ocean Model., 85, 16–31, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2014.10.003, 2015.
Zhang, Y. J., Ye, F., Stanev, E. V., and Grashorn, S.: Seamless cross-scale modeling with SCHISM, Ocean Model., 102, 64–81, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2016.05.002, 2016.
Zhu, T., Zheng, L., Li, F., Liu, J., and Zhuang, W.: Sustainable carbon sequestration via olivine based ocean alkalinity enhancement in the east and South China Sea: Adhering to environmental norms for nickel and chromium, Sci. Total Environ., 930, 172853, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172853, 2024.
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) boosts oceanic CO₂ absorption, offering a climate solution. Using a regional model, we examined OAE in the North Sea, revealing that shallow coastal areas achieve higher CO₂ uptake than offshore where alkalinity is more susceptible to deep-ocean loss. Long-term carbon storage is limited, and pH shifts vary by location. Our findings guide OAE deployment to optimize carbon removal while minimizing ecological effects, supporting global climate mitigation efforts.
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) boosts oceanic CO₂ absorption, offering a climate solution....
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint